A Gambian parliamentarian has called on Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio to reinstate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan without further delay.
Hon. Fatoumatta Njai, Chairperson of the Gender and Children’s Welfare Committee in The Gambia’s Parliament, issued the demand in a statement sent to Elanza on Wednesday.
Njai, who also serves as a member of the Pan-African Parliament, said Senator Natasha’s continued suspension amounted to “an affront to the rule of law” and a “denial of democratic principles.”
She argued that the Nigerian Senate had no moral or legal grounds to keep Akpoti-Uduaghan away from her legislative duties after a six-month suspension expired.
“I believe that after the six months of unlawful suspension, she must be reinstated with immediate effect,” Njai said.
The Gambian lawmaker stressed that Natasha’s suspension followed her outspoken criticism of Senate leadership — a move she described as an attempt to “silence dissenting voices.”
Njai added that Senator Natasha symbolises the aspirations of millions of women and young people across Africa who believe in justice, transparency, and equal representation.
She warned that Nigeria, as West Africa’s largest democracy, must set the right example by respecting judicial rulings and protecting the rights of elected representatives.
On 4 July 2025, Justice B.F.M. Nyako of Nigeria’s Federal High Court ruled that suspending a senator for 180 days — the equivalent of an entire legislative session — was excessive, unconstitutional, and a breach of Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution.
Despite the ruling, the Senate refused Natasha entry into the chamber on 22 July, effectively extending her suspension in defiance of the court.
Njai condemned the move, saying, “In law, one must obey court orders before challenging them. Anything else is lawlessness.”
The Gambian MP, one of only three elected women in her country’s 53-member legislature, said she was raising her “lone voice” in solidarity with Natasha.
“Today it is the distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, tomorrow it could be me,” she warned.
